p.1 #1 · Best way to mount two cameras together (top to top or bottom to bottom)
I'm a climbing photographer and I'm interested in trying to do some simultaneous shooting of stills and video. Does anyone have a good suggestion for a way to mount two full frame bodies (in my case sony bodies) together? I'm thinking of either a cage or some way to use tripod plates or the threaded mount for tripod plates. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
p.1 #2 · Best way to mount two cameras together (top to top or bottom to bottom)
I'd consider a cage for the one on the bottom, with an A-S clamp on the middle of the top rail and an A-S plate on the bottom of the top camera. You could get it more stiff and sturdy, by adding more components, but the weight is going up, with every piece.
I'd probably try duct taping some light weight stiffeners between the cameras, like long tongue depressors, on the outer edges, or fronts and backs - whatever works. It'd even be OK to tape over card doors, battery doors, and unused ports, unless you need access while you're on a route.
Gaffers tape might be a better choice than duct tape, because ...
p.1 #3 · Best way to mount two cameras together (top to top or bottom to bottom)
There are brackets available that attach to the 1/4-20 tripod hole in the bottom of most serious cameras, both still and video. These are available in different sizes for mounting up to four cameras, lights, etc. Each mounting point has a captured 1/4-20 bolt with large knob head at each mounting point. You can attach cameras, cold shoes and then flashes, sound recorders, etc. to these mounting points. I have one of these, shown in the link below, but again there are other sizes and variations available.
I have another that doesn't seem to be available any more in the version that I have, but other similar versions exist. It also attaches to the camera in the same way, but is bent up at about a 45 degree angle and then bent again to horizontal, and kind-of back over the camera. The angled part has padding on it so it makes a great left side of the camera handle. There are two cold shoes at each side of the upper bend, one vertical and one horizontal, giving a place for a speedlite or two, or a constant LED light and a backup audio recorder like the H1N recorder, etc. I do use this bracket occasionally when doing video work.
Charley
This link is for the 4 place with 1/4-20 attach points and also with the center tripod attach point.
p.1 #4 · Best way to mount two cameras together (top to top or bottom to bottom)
egbowes wrote:
I'm a climbing photographer and I'm interested in trying to do some simultaneous shooting of stills and video. Does anyone have a good suggestion for a way to mount two full frame bodies (in my case sony bodies) together? I'm thinking of either a cage or some way to use tripod plates or the threaded mount for tripod plates. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Just for a different perspective, have you considered using a video system with high enough IQ that you could just grab frames from the video?
p.1 #6 · Best way to mount two cameras together (top to top or bottom to bottom)
Thank you for the insightful suggestions. What sbay suggested is, I think, the solution I was hoping to find.
@gdanmitchell, I have considered this, and have attempted it in the past. Unfortunately, I typically need shutter speeds of 1/250 to 1/500 to freeze climber motion, and so I'd be forced to choose between lots of motion blur, or really jittery looking video footage.
